SLACKEN Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'slacken' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slacken are delay , detain , retard , and slow . While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort. // on hot days runners slacken their pace

Q: Where would 'delay' be a reasonable alternative to 'slacken'?

Although the words delay and slacken have much in common, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival. // bad weather delayed our arrival

Q: When is it sensible to use 'detain' instead of 'slacken'?

While in some cases nearly identical to slacken , detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time. // unexpected business had detained her

Q: When would 'retard' be a good substitute for 'slacken'?

The synonyms retard and slacken are sometimes interchangeable, but retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping. // language barriers retarded their progress

Q: How do 'slow' and 'slacken' relate to one another?

Both slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention. // medication slowed the patient's heart rate

slacken

verb

ˈsla-kən

Definition of slacken next

as in to loosen

to make less taut you'll need to slacken the rope a bit to get it free of that post

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to slow

to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace drivers need to slacken their speed as they approach the sharp curve

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slacken distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slacken are delay, detain, retard, and slow. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

Where would delay be a reasonable alternative to slacken?

Although the words delay and slacken have much in common, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When is it sensible to use detain instead of slacken?

While in some cases nearly identical to slacken, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

When would retard be a good substitute for slacken?

The synonyms retard and slacken are sometimes interchangeable, but retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

How do slow and slacken relate to one another?

Both slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of slacken When these strong winds slacken, parts of the polar vortex can detach and meander southward, bringing ultra-cold air to southern Canada, the U.S. and Europe. —

Andrew Freedman, Axios, 2 Jan. 2025 Among the Sambia of Papua New Guinea, a man carrying an infant is said to slacken with impotence. —

Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024 Ukraine's deployment of new homegrown ballistic missiles could be on the horizon, with little sign that Western restrictions on weapons able to fire deep into Russian territory will be slackened despite grinding but consistent Russian gains in the country's east. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 That has left hurricane forecasters trying to move beyond these categories and convey the risk of storm surge and flooding, so people will still evacuate even if wind speeds slacken. —

Alec Luhn, WIRED, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slacken

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slacken

Verb

Everyone at the club has been holding out for the moment when new ownership arrived and the purse strings can finally be loosened.

— Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Honey, peppermint, licorice root, elderberry, ginger, and green tea can loosen mucus and help relieve a nagging cough.

— Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 12 Feb. 2025